Press Releases

ACCESS NetFront™ Browser Widgets Empower SOFTBANK MOBILE

Operator Chooses ACCESS^™ Solution for New Mobile Widgets Service

Tokyo, Japan, – October 30, 2008 – ACCESS CO., LTD., a global provider of advanced software technologies to the mobile and beyond-PC markets, announced today that its comprehensive Widget solution, NetFront^™ Browser Widgets, has been selected by SOFTBANK MOBILE Corp. to implement the operator’s new Mobile Widgets service.

SOFTBANK MOBILE will launch the service in Japan in late November, together with its first Mobile Widgets-capable handset, the SOFTBANK 931SH from Sharp Corporation.

Widgets are mini applications that are downloaded and then displayed in small GUI windows on the screen of a handset. Widgets are appealing to users because they can be accessed without having to open the handset’s browser, and can automatically acquire and display frequently updated, user-specific information from the Web, such as weather forecasts and stock prices.

By adopting ACCESS’ NetFront Browser Widgets, operators can obtain a solution that includes a Widget player and content development tools, allowing them to accelerate development and delivery of Widget services. Content providers can leverage on a development environment based on open, standard W3C Widget 1.0 specifications, facilitating development of Widget content.

Following the release of its 931SH handset, SOFTBANK MOBILE plans to roll out a succession of handsets that support Mobile Widgets. ACCESS will extend its support by offering Mobile Widgets-compatible content on its NetFront Browser Widgets Community Site.

“ACCESS is committed to enhancing user convenience by promoting the creation of innovative Widget services and content,” said Toru Arakawa, CEO, president and co-founder of ACCESS. “ACCESS’ comprehensive Widget solution for operators will help make it faster and easier for content providers to bring exciting new mobile applications to market.”

About ACCESS
ACCESS CO., LTD. is a global company providing leading technology, software products and platforms for Web browsing, mobile phones, wireless handhelds, and other networked devices. ACCESS’ product portfolio, including its NetFront^™ Browser, Garnet^™ OS (formerly Palm OS^®) and ACCESS Linux Platform^™, provides customers with solutions that enable faster time to market, flexibility and customizability. The company, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, operates subsidiaries and affiliates within Asia, Europe and the United States. ACCESS is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mother’s Index under the number 4813. For more information about ACCESS, please visit www.access-company.com/

© 2008 ACCESS CO., LTD. All rights reserved.
ACCESS, the ACCESS logo, NetFront, ACCESS Linux Platform and Garnet are registered trademarks or trademarks of ACCESS CO., LTD. in the United States, Japan and/or other countries.
The registered trademark LINUX^® is used pursuant to a sublicense from Linux Mark Institute, the exclusive licensee of Linus Torvalds, owner of the mark on a world-wide basis.
Palm OS is a trademark owned by Palm Trademark Holding Company.
All other trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners.